From August until May, I will live in Bolivia to educate and empower young people with diabetes. Volunteers for AYUDA (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad) will join me for several weeks to visit homes in rural areas, conduct family education sessions, and run a free diabetes education camp. We will work with local foundations on educational initiatives aimed at teaching young people with diabetes how to manage their condition with limited access to supplies. We will also address the psychosocial effects of type 1 diabetes. 

 

AYUDA is a non profit organization based out of Arlington, VA that works to empower youth to serve as agents of change in diabetes communities around the world, strengthen local diabetes communities by promoting youth leadership, and motivate youth with diabetes to lead healthier and happier lives. AYUDA has chosen Bolivia because of the country's desparate need for heathcare and educational support, where for many children a diagnosis of diabetes is a death sentence.

I am very excited to be part of AYUDA's team to work to improve the lives of so many children. I am passionate about providing assistance to others and to watch the quality of their lives improve because of strength, support, community, and love. While there is no cure for diabetes at this time, both you and I have the power to make a difference in these children's live by helping to prevent complications such as blindness, seizures, comas, nerve damage, among others.

 

I'm working very hard to carry out this mission through AYUDA and would greatly appreciate your support. In these tough economic times, I know that very little money is leftover from family budgets for charitable causes, but please know that I will bring every fundraised dollar with me to Bolivia. I will see that all of the money is used to directly benefit underprivileged youth with diabetes.

 

Thank you in advance for your generosity.